PACKAGES FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC MAIL: The government is not accepting mail from the general public to service members for two reasons: logistics and security. The military postal system does not have the capacity to screen for safety and process the tons of mail normally generated by Any Service Member mail. To add to the difficulty, bona fide mail from family and friends may be delayed by the volume of mail.

ORGANIZATIONS SENDING MAIL & PACKAGES: Individuals, schools, and service organizations interested in sending letters supporting deployed service members should use MarineParents.com, Inc. Care Package Project as an alternate means of sending packages of support.

SECURITY OF OVERSEAS ADDRESSES: For security reasons, please DO NOT share your Marine's overseas address with anyone outside his/her circle of family and friends.

Suggested mailing dates for arrival by Hanukkah:
Allow 2-3 weeks for package arrival.

Suggested mailing dates for arrival by Christmas:

• Priority Mail - Dec 11
• 1st class card/letters - Dec 11
• Parcel airlift mail - Dec 4
• Space available mail - Nov 27
• Parcel Post - Nov 13

DON'T KNOW A PERSON TO SEND A CARE PACKAGE TO?
I would like to suggest that you send AAFES Gift Certificates redeemable at military installations around the world, including facilities supporting OIF and OEF. For more information from AAFES, click here.

Or if you would like to send care packages, please work with MarineParents.com, Inc. Care Package Project to be sure your packages arrive according to military protocol. This is a great way for churches and other organizations to support our Marines and deployed military personnel.